2009 BMW 750i: The Gentleman function

Maybe this is more of a "gentleman's" mode. Kind of like a "gentleman's" club. I mean, you DID say that techno was playing along with it. Did the car pick that station? And what KIND of techno was it?

As in, "let me get the seat for you, my dear."

caheew, the way I understand it is that you can control the passenger's seat with the controls on the driver's seat (instead of reaching over and adjusting them with the passenger's controls.)

OHH!! Ok, thanks vt8919.

I'm sorry, but women should not be driving BMWs. It devalues the brand. They should stick to Lexus or Mercedes.

The only reason a woman would be driving a 7 series is if her husband was out of town.

In case you didn't know, political correctness is dead....now that we have a black president.

Wow, talk about finding a solution to a problem that didn't exist. This is more like stupid passenger override function.

@jeffal

Back in my day, Women didn't drive period.

Wow, this is a lame function, especially on a BMW...

By the way, can there be anymore scuffs on that driver's door?

Can you turn on the massage? That could be kind of useful.

I've seen this feature in other elite sedans, and sexism had nothing to do with it. It's aimed at chauffeurs, who might need to scoot the front-passenger seat way forward before a valued client gets into the backseat. Of course, this feature would see more use in the long-wheelbase 750Li, but I'd guess it's standard in all 7 Series sedans for consistency (and cost savings). -- Erin Riches

Are you kidding? This is an AWESOME feature! What better way to annoy the heck out of your passengers? LOL.

...or when your Mom still gives you crap about your driving a decade after you got your license... *evil laugh*

Erin & others -

Perhaps the function is not sexist, but the name "Gentleman function" is.

The implication is the woman on the P-side can't take care of her own seat controls.

When I previously worked for a large car company in the Human Factors group, the overseas staff would ask me about similar nomenclature and labelling. Several times, I had to tell them, "You can't say that!" and suggest alternatives.

Regards,
Albert(SD)

Awesome. I'm glad this snuck through the cracks at BMWs PC department. I was expecting it to open the door for you or the people behind you.

"Wow, talk about finding a solution to a problem that didn't exist. This is more like stupid passenger override function."

"Wow, this is a lame function, especially on a BMW..."

I think you both missed the point of this feature.

"I've seen this feature in other elite sedans, and sexism had nothing to do with it. It's aimed at chauffeurs, who might need to scoot the front-passenger seat way forward before a valued client gets into the backseat. Of course, this feature would see more use in the long-wheelbase 750Li, but I'd guess it's standard in all 7 Series sedans for consistency (and cost savings). -- Erin Riches"

Exactly. Pretty much all the high-end sedans have this feature in one form or another. Jaguar actually gives control to the rear-seat passenger.

This seems like a completely stupid idea, especially since it does not include an EJECT function.

That is not the purpose of the function. The "Gentleman" refers more to a butler style gentleman (ie Driver or Chauffeur). It is designed for a VIP in the back seat. That was the "gentleman" driver can move the passenger seat forward easily to provide more space for the VIP.

haydenfive is right.
most places, the 7 is a common chauffeur car. the rear passenger has a button to move the passenger seat forward to give max rear leg room.

the driver also needs the ability to move the pass seat forwards for rear passengers or back, should the use of the front passenger seat arise.

Of course ignorance is the mother of stupid comments but these are basic features that make life easier for a 7 series owner.

Our Mercedes CL550 has this feature as well except it's a button with a seat and an "R" over it. Not exactly sure what the R stands for but it does come in handy sometimes.

You can also annoy your passengers with it which is pretty fun!

When I was a kid, my folks had a '72 Eldorado. The doors were so long that the rear passengers had their own door handle (but not their own door).

To clariy my earlier comment (re: Erin's enlightenment) --

My misunderstanding was due to:
1. As Erin stated, our 750 is the short wheelbase model, not a limo-like vehicle
2. There is plenty of room in the iDrive display to state intended purpose, but no explanation
3. This Gentleman function has nearly complete control of P-side seat adjustments!, not just fore/aft for ingress/egress (as seen in the movie)
4. If they just called it Butler or Chauffeur the HID lamp would have gone off in my head!

Regards,
Albert(SD)

Man, most of you guys are off your rocker. I think this is kick ass. I can't tell how many times my girlfriend falls asleep in the car while I'm driving . This would give me the ability to make her more comfortable on the fly.

I don't think the name or the function are sexist. Its a polite and convenient feature.

But then again, I'm also the kind of person who holds a door open for my gf, and who walks on the road-side of the side walk.

I see this as the Bond-ization of luxury cars. There will be an eject button soon, for nagging passengers and nefarious business partners...

+1 doug.

My wife has never opened a door or carried anything heavier than her purse while in my presence.

Dad always said: "A woman's place in this world is on a pedestal. Treat them right!"

I think it's cool. As others have said, not only to make room for the rear passenger, but to help out your front passenger who doesn't know how all the controls work (my mom comes to mind). And to slowly lower and recline your buddy's seat and see how long it takes him to notice. ;)

Drivers have had control of all 4 power windows forever. Why not the passenger's seat. I wonder if control is maintained while someone is seated in the passenger seat. Could be a way to keep a long legged passenger quiet: 'One more comment out of you and I'm sliding your seat forward another inch.'

I have to say that this is cool even for us normal folks and even on the SWB model. Has anyone ever had a passenger get in up front only to have to scoot up to make room for the person in back (even as just a gesture)? It's much easier, I think, for the driver to move the passenger forward than it is to have a passenger fiddling with unfamiliar controls.

I actually find this feature kind of funny, it would definitely be entertaining to mess with your passenger while they are sitting there...but on the other side, it does seem like a worthless feature in the 750. I can see it in a car like a Rolls, but it does seem like kind of waste installed in the BMW.

Wow.